In the early afternoon, we took a walk along the beach to find a restaurant that was recommended to us. Casa de Amigos and its hosts Gaby and Rudy became our new best friends. We wined and dined with them for the next 5 days. They gave us their Honda dirt bike for a whole day and we explored all along the coast. It was at their restaurant that we played with an animal (have no idea what it was) that we thought was their pet, only to find out the next day, that they had never seen it before. Idiots!

Coffee, fresh fruit, eggs, and juice filled the void before putting on wet socks and rubber boots. We were off again, but this time it was to climb a mountain to overlook the canopy we were staying in. The hike was unlike the previous because now it was very wet, muddy, and humid. By the time we made it to the vista, I was a mop and felt like I was going to keel over. This is where we met some local Indians who made a necklace for Jo-Ann and a bracelet for me out of 100 percent natural items were found growing there. After a 30 minute relaxing rest in a hammock we started down the hill.

This was the end of the jungle and the start of the crazy ride back to Banos. We got back to the hotel, took a shower and then went out to celebrate our journey into the Amazon Jungle with a Bombay Sapphire and a fabulous dinner at a place called La Caldera. We both highly recommend this place to anyone who visits Banos. And right next door is the tour office where we booked tomorrow’s ordeal.

On the return back from dinner, we found that our hotel had been locked up for the night. Bummer. After 15 minutes or so of ringing the door bell and hitting the door, I decided I’d better go get some help. Just down the street was the police substation. I was able to explain the situation and the officer walked back with me to the hotel and with one knock, the door opened. So, it was now bed time again and prepare for the next adventure first thing in the morning. Whitewater rafting.

The view along the way is the type you only see in magazines, with cliffs, waterfalls, and tunnels. It was fantastic except for the bus tended to want to go 100 MPH on these narrow, windy, scary roads. We followed the Pazata River from Banos to Puyo where we loaded into a yellow truck taxi which would take us into the jungle. On the way, our guide Carlos asked what we wanted for dinner, beef, fish or chicken. We choose chicken because he said it held well without refrigeration. We stopped into a carneserita for the meat and then a Mercado for ponchos because it rains everyday in the rain forest.

Forty-five minutes later, we arrived at an indigenous community of Indians where we walked over a suspension bridge to get to the tienda where they sell handmade handicrafts.  On the bridge you can see the women working catching logs that were cut up stream by the men who use the river to move them. It was very interesting and very creative logging. We did not spend a lot of time here but it was worth the stop. Back on the trail, we headed for our first camp. Another 20 minutes and voila, a cold beer was waiting for us while Carolos prepared lunch. Ceviche, bread, cheese and guacamole were on the menu. During this time we saw our first monkey, ant eater, and the first time either one of us met the jungle first hand.

After lunch we took a 6 km hike to a waterfall deep into the jungle. On the way we saw a snake that was about 2 meters long but no idea what kind. Among all of the newness, we found the waterfall. Of course we had to take a dip. The water sure was cold! I would guess the waterfall to be about 30 meters tall and it was very beautiful.

It was a short visit because we now had to get back to base camp where a dugout canoe was waiting for us to take us to where we will be sleeping for the night. You should have seen this “so called boat”.  There were so many holes in it I had to bail the entire 12 KM down river. The holes where not a problem to me because I could actually keep up with the bailing. It was the lack of freeboard the dugout had that worried me. One little rapid would allow the water to slosh in. The stability was also not what I would call “safe for tourists”. Needless to say, 30 minutes or so later we arrived at our hut.

The sun was now starting to fade away and it was raining. Jo-Ann and I roamed around while Carlos prepared dinner for us. Guess what? I found cold beer from the family who make sure things are kept in order around these parts. So while enjoying a beer, Carlos took the chicken and wrapped it into some type of leaf he found on our hike. I was wondering why he picked them and kept them. I do not know what they were but with only these leaves, salt and fire, the chicken came out outstanding.

Now 8:30 PM and in the pitch black we found our hut. We were not prepared for this so we did not bring flashlights. We were given a candle to help us get adjusted to the darkness of the jungle. In the hut we tried to fit into one cot, well that didn’t work, night night we said and found our own cot wrapped in bug netting.

So, out of the blue we just decided to pack up and head off to Banos. We found our way to the main bus terminal where again, we just kind of figured it out and we were on a bus to one of the best places that I have ever seen. The bus didn’t even say Banos on it and even with our lack of any other language we did it. How cool is that?

After only a $3.50 fare, three hours of traveling through green pastures and amazingly clean villages, we were told to get off the bus and find anothere one to take us to our destination. Another oops. We were now in a little village bus terminal where the bus attendant helped us find the correct bus to Banos and then explained that there was no charge because he had already charged us for the transfer. Off again.

We traveled near the live volcano that Banos sits under. We could see where the normal lava flows. The road was windy and scary, but we arrived in Banos without crashing. What I did not do was arrive with all of my gear. As we were walking away from the bus terminal, I felt like I was missing something. I was. The person sitting behind me on the bus cut my straps from my backpack and stole my jacket. That sucked because it was a bit chilly out. So, off on a shopping spree.

We managed to find a great hotel right downtown across from the park where 20 years ago my parents stayed by the same square. We paid 2 days rent but then after walking around town we decided to go on a jungle tour. The lady at the front desk was nice enough to postpone the second day until we returned from the jungle. Now off we go on an amazing adventure neither one of us have ever done. The Amazon here we come!

On our 10km walk back to the 5 Star hoity toity Shereton Hotel, we were staying in, we found the local hang out for touristas.  This is small 4 way corner with bars and restaurants on each. All of these places are very nice and reminds me of a college type night life place. Which I think it was.

After a long discussion on which place to enter, we chose a really nice place and ate a very tasty ostrich dinner/late lunch. With an almost major mistake, Jo-Ann stopped me from ordering a 90.00 bottle of Bombay Sapphire. I was thinking in pesos and well, that’s not 9.00 USD. Good thing she was there. OOPS!

It was a long walk back to the room but because this was a special night and our first full day in a foreign country, the best thing to do was to find a local pub. How ironic it was to find a British pub across the street from where we were staying. Pilsner, Yeager, and Columbian moonshine hit the spot just fine. To top things off we met a nice local couple who invited us out with them to the “No Name Bar”. It’s too bad that they never showed up, Jo-Ann and I got toasted anyway with one last cervesa, and then found our way home with a taxi. After a special room service meal we shared, it was off to bed.

Gotta love it!!!